COUNCILLORS in Haydon Bridge are hoping next month’s Tour of Britain will boost the village’s tourism appeal.

Haydon Bridge is one of several communities in Tynedale preparing to welcome world class cyclists when they pass through the district on September 10.

Tynedale will host stage five of the tour, taking in Prudhoe, Stocksfield, Riding Mill, Hexham, Haydon Bridge, Gilsland and Greenhead, en route to the finish of the stage at Hartside Pass.

Residents are being urged to play their part by decorating the outside of their houses and waving flags to cheer on the likes of Chris Froome and Mark Cavendish.

And Haydon Parish Council has joined forces with other volunteers to make the most of the widespread media coverage of the event.

A public meeting took place last Thursday, at the Bridge Library, on Church Street, to discuss the village’s plans for September 10, and also for ensuring it has a lasting effect on the local economy.

Coun. Eileen Charlton said the village’s own cycling event, the Haydon Hundred, had succesfully marketed the village since its inception three years ago.

She explained: “There will be a lot of focus on our village, and we‘ve already found that people who come here for the Haydon Hundred come back, because they know what we have to offer.

“We’ve got a lovely location with wonderful views. As well as being close to Hadrian’s Wall, we have our own attractions as well as pubs, shops and services.”

Coun. Simon Walker said: “The route that the cyclists will take on September 10 is fantastic.

“I’m sure many people who watch this stage of the Tour of Britain will want to try the route for themselves, and that will bring people into Haydon Bridge.

“There’s the climb up to the Military Road, and it is so undulating along there. It’s a testing route, and it will remain popular.”

Coun. Walker said that officials at St Cuthbert’s Church were behind the village’s effort for the Tour of Britain, and suggested that a giant Northumberland flag could be draped from the church roof.

He said it may even catch the eye of camera crews filming the televised race, but stressed there was no guarantee that the village would be featured on TV.

Local woman Pat Hirst suggested that red and yellow t-shirts should be made available for the watching public, to represent the coulours of the Northumberland flag.

Another member of the public said the village could tap into local history to promote the day on September 10.

She explained: “Our past is associated with the Border Reivers and the Romans. How about putting up some life-like soldiers along the route?”

The meeting heard that Shaftoe Primary School is keen to get involved. Although children won’t return to class from the summer holidays until the week before the event, it is hoped they can play a part in what is expected to be a memorable day.

Councillors are considering setting up a bike-stop on the village green at Strother Close, where volunteers can paint old bikes in the Northumberland yellow and red, before they are displayed at set points along the village’s Tour of Britain route.

Coun. Dave Thornhill said: “If we can encourage residents to get themselves a Northumberland flag and hang it in their windows, decorate their frontage and generally help to create a welcoming, positive atmosphere, on the day, it will help us to make it a real success.”

Noticeboards in shops and elsewhere in the village are set to act as a means of informing residents of plans for the day.